Kingston Votes for No Budget No Pay

Statement

Congressman Jack Kingston (GA-1) joined a bipartisan majority in the U.S. House of Representatives today in voting for legislation that would withhold the pay of Members of Congress if they fail to pass a budget resolution.

"It has been 4 years since the United States Senate passed a budget," said Kingston. "In that time, the national debt has increased by $5.3 trillion dollars. That's enough to build the Talmadge Bridge spanning the Savannah River 74,471 times. With this runaway spending, we need both houses to pass a budget that explains their plan for our government. "No Budget, No Pay' holds both the House and Senate accountable to the American people."

"No Budget, No Pay" directs both the House and Senate to pass budget resolutions by April 15, 2013. If either fails to pass a budget in that time, members of that body would have their paychecks withheld until one is passed.

Kingston has been a leading cosponsor and advocate of the proposal. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, which allocates discretionary spending for federal programs, he believes it is incumbent on every Member of Congress to put forward a budget that outlines their vision for the direction of the country.

"Businesses, families, states, and local governments are forced to craft a budget to live within their means every day," Kingston said. "It is time for Washington to do the same. For the past two years, the House has passed budgets that encourage economic growth and reduce spending. It gives our vision for a nation freed from debt. "No Budget, No Pay' gives the Senate the impetus to join us in that endeavor."

The bill passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 285-144. It must now be passed by the U.S. Senate before being sent to the President to be signed into law.